Monday, November 19, 2012

Saint
Philaret (Drozdov) was born on December 26, 1782 in Kolomna, a suburb
of Moscow, and was named Basil in Baptism. His father was a deacon (who
later became a priest).

The young Basil studied at the Kolomna seminary, where courses were
taught in Latin. He was small in stature, and far from robust, but his
talents set him apart from his classmates.

In 1808, while he was a student at the Moscow Theological Academy at
Holy Trinity Lavra, Basil received monastic tonsure and was named
Philaret after St Philaret the Merciful (December 1). Not long after
this, he was ordained a deacon.

In 1809, he went to teach at the Theological Academy in Petersburg,
which had been reopened only a short time before. Hierodeacon Philaret
felt ill at ease in Petersburg, but he was a very good teacher who tried
to make theology intelligible to all. Therefore, he worked to have
classes taught in Russian rather than in Latin.

Philaret was consecrated as bishop in 1817, and was appointed to serve
as a vicar in the diocese of Petersburg. He soon rose to the rank of
archbishop, serving in Tver, Yaroslavl, and Moscow. In 1826, he was made
Metropolitan of Moscow, and remained in that position until his death.

The Metropolitan believed that it was his duty to educate and enlighten
his flock about the Church's teachings and traditions. Therefore, he
preached and wrote about how to live a Christian life, basing his words
on the wisdom of the Holy Fathers. His 1823 CATECHISM has been an
influential book in Russia and in other countries for nearly two hundred
years.

The reforms of Tsar Peter the Great had abolished the patriarchate and
severely restricted the Church, placing many aspects of its life under
governmental control. Metropolitan Philaret tried to regain some of the
Church's freedom to administer its own affairs, regarding Church and
State as two separate entities working in harmony. Not everyone shared
his views, and he certainly made his share of enemies. Still, he did
achieve some degree of success in effecting changes.

One day, Archimandrite Anthony (Medvedev), a disciple of St Seraphim of
Sarov (January 2), paid a call on his diocesan hierarch. During their
conversation, Fr Anthony spoke of the patristic teaching on unceasing
prayer, and he may have told the Metropolitan something of St Seraphim.
St Philaret felt a deep spiritual kinship with Fr Anthony, who soon
became his Elder. He made no important decision concerning diocesan
affairs, or his own spiritual life, without consulting Fr Anthony. St
Seraphim once told Fr Anthony that he would become the igumen of a great
monastery, and gave him advice on how to conduct himself. It was St
Philaret who appointed him as igumen of Holy Trinity Lavra.

Metropolitan Philaret wanted to have the Holy Scriptures translated into
modern Russian, so that people could read and understand them. Fr
Anthony, however, criticized the unorthodox ethos of the Russian Bible
Society, which was popular during the reign of Alexander I. In his
eagerness to have the Bible translated into modern Russian, St Philaret
at first supported the Bible Society without realizing how dangerous
some of its ideas were. The first Russian translation of the Bible was
printed during the reign of Tsar Alexander II.

Under the direction of his Elder, Metropolitan Philaret made great
progress in the spiritual life. He also received the gifts of unceasing
prayer, clairvoyance, and healing. It is no exaggeration to suggest that
St Philaret himself was one of the forces behind the spiritual revival
in nineteenth century Russia. He defended the Elders of Optina Monastery
when they were misunderstood and attacked by many. He protected the
nuns of St Seraphim's Diveyevo Convent, and supported the publication of
patristic texts by the Optina Monastery.

Metropolitan Philaret was asked to dedicate the new Triumphal Gate in
Moscow, and Tsar Nicholas I was also present. Seeing statues of pagan
gods on the Gate, the Metropolitan refused to bless it. The Tsar became
angry, and many people criticized the saint's refusal to participate. He
felt that he had followed his conscience in this matter, but still felt
disturbed by it, and so he prayed until he finally dropped off to
sleep. He was awakened around 5 A.M. by the sound of someone opening the
door which he usually kept locked. The Metropolitan sat up and saw St
Sergius of Radonezh (September 25) leaning over his bed. "Don't worry,"
he said, "it will all pass." Then he disappeared.

Two months before his death, St Philaret saw his father in a dream,
warning him about the 19th day of the month. On November 19, 1867, he
served the Divine Liturgy for the last time. At two in the afternoon,
they went to his cell and found his body. He was buried at Holy Trinity
Lavra.

St Philaret was glorified by the Russian Orthodox Church in 1995.

TROPARION-TONE 4

Having acquired the grace of the Holy Spirit
O divinely wise and holy hierarch Philaret,
You preached truth and righteousness to the people with enlightened understanding;
With a contrite heart you showed peace and mercy to the suffering;
And as a teacher and tireless guardian of the Faith
With the staff of uprightness you preserved the Russian flock.
Therefore, as you have boldness before Christ our God,
Pray that He preserve the Church and salvation to the people and our souls.

KONTAKION-TONE 2

As a true imitator of the venerable Sergius;
You loved virtue from childhood, O divinely blessed Philaret.
As a righteous pastor and blameless confessor you were subject to mockery and abuse by the ungodly after your holy repose,
But God has glorified you with signs and miracles
And shown you to be the helper of our Church.